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Supreme Court of 1977- 1981



The Justices in 1977-1981SupremeCourt1975.jpg
Justice #1 William Joseph Brennan Jr. 1956-1990 Selected by Eisenhower
He was the first Roman Catholic appointed to the Supreme Court. He had an unshakable belief in the Constitution as the guardian of individual rights and liberties garnered both respect and criticism. Retirement
Justice #2 Potter Stewart 1958-1981 Selected by Eisenhower
He was a moderate on a generally liberal Court during his first decade (1958-69), and often found himself in the minority. In his last fifteen years on the Court, he was often a swing vote on the divided Burger Court. Retired
Justice #3 Byron Raymond White 1962-1993 Selected by Kennedy
He was a college and pro football star during the 1930s and 1940s and an assistant attorney general under R.F. Kennedy from 1960 until 1962, when President J.F.K. appointed him to the Supreme Court. As a justice, White enunciated no single judicial philosophy. For part of his career, he was seen as a moderate. Toward the end, however, he voted conservatively on social issues such as abortion, affirmative action and gay and right. Retirement
Justice #4 Thurgood Marshall 1967-1991 Selected by L. Johnson
He was a self proclaimed supporter of voiceless America. He developed a profound sensitivity to injustice by racial discrimination in this country. Justice Marshall died on January 24, 1993. Retirement
Justice #5 Warren Earl Burger 1969-1986 Selected by Nixon Chief Justice 1969-1986
One of the most controversial cases that Warren Burger undertook as Supreme Court Chief Justice was Roe vs. Wade, a case where he voted with the majority to recognize a woman’s right to an abortion. Retired
Justice #6 Harry Andrew Blackmun 1970-1994 Selected by Nixon
He was an influence in women’s rights; he enlarged constitutional protection for commercial speech and pushed for a large separation between church and state. Retired
Justice #7 Lewis Franklin Powell Jr. 1972-1987 Selected by Nixon
Powell, came to the Court as one of the most distinguished lawyers in the United States, he was a moderate conservative who became a key vote on a Court that was often divided between conservatives and liberals. Retired
Justice #8 William Hubbs Rehnquist 1972-2005 Selected by Nixon Chief Justice Reagan 1986-2005
Rehnquist was a political and judicial conservative; he constantly sought to limit the power of the federal government to interfere in areas that are usually left to the states. Died in seat
Justice #9 John Paul Stevens 1975-Present Selected by Ford
Stevens is more practical rather than ideological, and has continued to be as independent minded as he was on the court of appeals. This approach has set him apart from the other justices, most of whom have been either habitually liberal, particularly in supporting the rights of the individual, or conservative, supporting the authority of the government. Stevens has been the least conventional member of the Court, although in recent years he appeared more liberal as the Court moved to the right with each Reagan and Bush appointment.


Major Federal Court Cases
1977- Ingraham v. Wright
1977- Wolman v. Walter
1977- NY v. Cathedral Academy
1977- Byrne v. Public Funds for Public Schools

1978- University of California v. Bakke

1980-Stone v. Graham

Outcomes of the most pivotal Supreme Court Cases
1977- Ingraham v. Wright- gave the okay of corporal punishment in school. They said that the eight amendment against cruel and unusual punishment only applies to criminals.
1978- University of California v. Bakke, Bakke claimed that he had been denied twice even though he had a higher GPA some of the minority groups that were accepted. As a result the Bakke was admitted to the university. The court concluded that the special admissions program should be ended. However, the court didn't prohibit race being a factor of the admissions process.



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They didn't have much interaction between themselves and Congress and the President. The president didn't change any or add any new Supreme Court members. No justices were released/impeached during Carters Presidency. This suggests that, they didn't have problems with the Supreme Court.



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